Antelope County sentences include fines, jail

Sergio Martinez, 33, of Clearwater faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Wednesday, Jan 20, for further arraignment on two counts, Count I, driving under suspension/before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed July 15, 2020; and Count II, no operator’s license, also a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Martinez pleaded guilty to Count I, pursuant to a plea agreement with county prosecutor Joe Abler. In return, Abler dismissed Count II, agreed to file no additional charges in the case and recommended a fine and statutory revocation of license.

Taylor fined Martinez $100, revoked his license for one year and assessed $50 costs of prosecution. Bond, in the amount of $1,500, 10% cash, filed July 15, was exonerated, with $135 held by the county applied to fine and costs.

Martinez was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh. Perla Alarcon-Flory served as interpreter.

Aluat D. Atem, 42, of Lincoln, who was placed on a nine-month term of probation by Taylor on June 17, 2020, for a DUI conviction, appeared before Taylor for trial on charges she violated the terms of probation.

Pursuant to a plea agreement with Abler, Atem admitted the violations, with Abler recommending a 20-day jail sentence. Taylor sustained allegations of violation and revoked probation. She resentenced Atem on the original conviction, DUI, first offense, to 15 days in the Antelope County Jail, a $500 fine and revoked her driver’s license for six months. Taylor ordered Atem stand committed to jail until fine and costs, totaling $1,097, are paid.

Atem was given $250 credit on fine for an alcohol evaluation she obtained prior to sentencing and two months of probation fees were waived. She was given credit for one day previously served in the county jail.

Atem was represented by Klein.

Drew W. Steskal, 31, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on two counts, Count I, leave scene of property damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and Count II, careless driving, an infraction. He was fined $500 and $100, respectively, and assessed $50 costs of prosecution. Bond, in the amount of $3,000, 10%, posted Sept. 4, 2020, was exonerated, with the $270 balance held by the county applied to fines.

Steskal pleaded guilty to the two counts Dec. 16, 2020, pursuant to a plea agreement. Count II was reduced from a Class 3 misdemeanor, willful reckless driving, and a count of criminal mischief was dismissed by Abler.

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 31, 2020, crash northwest of Clearwater and an extensive subsequent air and ground search for the driver. Steskal was located near the Antelope/Holt county line by Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore. In a probable-cause affidavit, Moore reported Steskal had been without water and food for nearly two days and suffered cuts, scrapes and bruises, but refused medical treatment.

Calli R. Wilkinson, 21, of Tilden, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to one count, possession of alcohol, ages 19/20, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Oct. 10, 2020. She was fined $300 and $49 costs. An infraction count, possession of open alcohol container, was dismissed.

Wilkinson had previously entered not guilty pleas to both counts and requested jury trial. She was represented by Forrest Peetz of O’Neill.

Miranda R. Karn, 26, of Neligh pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a pair of infraction counts, possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Count III, operate unregistered vehicle, a Class 3 misdemeanor, was dismissed. Karn was fined $300 and $100, respectively, and assessed $49 costs. She was cited Jan. 9 by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper on the Neligh/Pierce Road.

Jose A. Ponce, 21, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to three counts, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense, both infractions; and no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He was fined $100, $300 and $75, respectively, and $49 costs. Ponce was cited in Clearwater by an Antelope County deputy, Nov. 6, 2020.

Jessica L. Dehn, 25, of Parker, Colorado, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense, both infractions. She was fined $100 and $300, respectively, and taxed $49 costs. Dehn was cited Dec. 8, 2020, by an NSP trooper on Highway 70.

Victoria R. Lindsay, 26, of Henderson, Minnesota, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to an amended charge, possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense. She was fined $300 and $49 costs. The count was reduced from a Class 3 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, more than one ounce to one pound. She was cited Dec. 18, 2020, on Highway 70, by an NSP trooper.

Jason L. Brase, 27, of Rockford, Minnesota, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to an amended charge, possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense. He was fined $300 and $49 costs. The count was reduced from a Class 3 misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana, more than one ounce to one pound. Brase was also cited Dec. 18, 2020, on Highway 70.